CMHA National announces new CEO

December 9, 2010

Canadian Mental Health Association, National Office Board Chair David Copus recently announced the appointment of Peter Coleridge as the new CMHA National chief executive officer (CEO) effective December 1, 2010.

In making the announcement Mr. Copus said: “I am delighted that Peter is joining CMHA. He brings a very distinguished career to this position, with both professional and volunteer experience in the health and social services sectors. He also has extensive senior leadership and management experience in mental health and addiction, and is a high-quality champion of mental health. As CEO Peter will further enhance the profile and strengthen the role of the CMHA in leading the transformation of mental health policy and services across the country.”

Mr. Coleridge said that he was honoured to join the CMHA team, and remarked that he is looking forward to working with the network of CMHA provincial divisions and local branches across the country “to improve mental health policies and services for all Canadians.” He added that the organization will continue to “build on our many partnerships and work closely with other stakeholders to change the face of mental health and mental illness.”

Mr. Coleridge most recently served as Vice President, Education and Population Health, and Senior Advisor at B.C. Mental Health and Addiction Services, where he led the development of a provincial plan to reduce discrimination and improve understanding of mental health issues. He led the development of a comprehensive workplace mental health and addiction strategy for employees within the Provincial Health Authority. Mr. Coleridge is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, and Special Advisor to the Global Economic Roundtable on Mental Health and Addiction.

The CMHA National board also thanked Lorne Zon, CEO of CMHA Ontario Division, for his service as Interim CEO of CMHA National for the past several months.

See the CMHA National press release, “Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), National Announces New CEO,” December 1, 2010, available atwww.cmha.ca.